Two skiers have been killed and three others injured in a large avalanche in Colorado.
The Lake County Office of Emergency Management says seven skiers on Star Mountain near Independence Pass triggered the slide at about 5pm Saturday (0900 AEDT Sunday).
Three were hospitalised with injuries including a broken leg, a broken ankle and a possible broken rib and collapsed lung.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office says search and rescue crews found the bodies of two skiers on Sunday afternoon.
Authorities have not released the names of anyone involved.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center had been warning of dangerous conditions across much of Colorado's mountains after two weeks of heavy snow in the high country.
The avalanche happened near Leadville, about 129 kilometres southwest of Denver.
